Matthew Stafford Discusses Rams Future After Signing New Contract Amid Retirement, Ty Simpson Buzz

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford discussed his future beyond the 2026 season after the team selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of April's NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters, Stafford addressed the team's selection of Simpson and noted he understood the decision because he's "not 25 years old" anymore.

"I'm not going to get into what our conversation was I appreciate him talking with me about those things. We have constant dialogue and a great relationship, so I appreciate that," Stafford said of his conversations with head coach Sean McVay. "I understand where the team's coming from. Listen, I'm not 25 years old and I get that. We're doing everything we can to be as good a football team as we can for now, for the future, for all of it."

Stafford also discussed his future with the Rams earlier in the week.

"I'm happy to be in Los Angeles right now with the sun beating down on my face and another year under my belt coming up, and hopefully some more football after that," Stafford said during a Wednesday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). "I love playing this game."

He also revealed that he's had discussions with his family regarding a potential retirement.

"My body feels pretty good, luckily, which is great," Stafford said. "Those conversations are family things. I talked about those with my wife and my kids. They love watching me play, they want me to keep doing it as long as I feel good and I feel excited about it, which I am."

Despite the inclusion of Simpson as well as Stafford contemplating retirement at the end of the 2024 season, the Rams still handed the veteran a one-year extension worth $55 million to keep him under contract through 2027 on May 21.

While Stafford is one of the oldest active quarterbacks in the NFL at 38 years old, he's coming off an incredible 2025 campaign in which he earned MVP honors.

He completed 65.0 percent of his throws for a league-leading 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, getting picked off just eight times. Stafford's 71.2 QBR ranked No. 4 among 28 qualified quarterbacks during the regular season, via ESPN.

He'll now look to lead the Rams on another deep playoff run after they advanced to the NFC Championship Game.